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What's On

Sunday, June 7, 2020

Exhibitions

Showcasing rare and exquisitely decorated fans from the collection of the Hon. Christopher Lennox Boyd, allocated to the Museum by H.M. Government in lieu of inheritance tax in 2015, this display reveals the techniques behind the making, investigation and conservation of fans.

A look at the spread and development of prints representing abstract qualities such as the Five Senses, Seven Virtues and Deadly Sins. German and Netherlandish 16th century examples feature female figures accompanied by animals associated with the concept in question. At the turn of the 17th century printmakers in Holland, France and England became more inventive, moving away from traditional allegorical depictions to pairs of amorous couples, women in fashionable dress and elaborate domestic scenes.

Through the Museum’s exceptional collection of botanical watercolours, this exhibition explores plant-based fragrance, skincare and cosmetics, and features perfume bottles and cosmetic boxes from the wider collection.

See a carefully recreated replica of Poussin’s ‘great machine’ (a miniature stage set used to 'rehearse' paintings) based on the composition of the artist's masterpiece, Extreme Unction (1638-40), acquired by the Museum in 2012.

A display of five cuttings from dismembered manuscripts. After the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, religious houses across Europe sold off their treasures, including illuminated books. As it was often easier to sell individual pages or details than entire books, these manuscripts were frequently disassembled and pages sold separately.

28/02/2020 to 30/09/2020

Free

Tour

CANCELLED
In the light of the developing situation with the spread of COVID-19 we have taken the decision to cancel this event. This is not a decision we have taken lightly but our priorities have to be the welfare of our visitors, our staff and their loved ones.